Jackson Pollocks Blue poles (1952), which measures more than four metres long, is the pride of the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in Canberra. Rarely lent, it has made a longer journey than most of the works on show in the Royal Academy of Arts Abstract Expressionism show, which opens this weekend (24 September-2 January 2017) in London. The NGAs director, Gerard Vaughan, has also travelled from Canberra to London. Acquired in 1973, the purchase caused a ruckus at the time. Critics denounce